Hello!
Welcome to week 5!
We've had a week filled with blue skies and lots weeding being done now that the ground is dry enough for us to work on. With all the vegetables growing strong I pay more attention to the flowers that have seemed to bloom over night. This morning I cut about 30 stems of Sunflowers that I'll bundle and have ready for sale at the on farm pick up sight. I've brought many bouquets of Yarrow and Wildflowers to Logan Square and will also bring Sunflowers with Red Jewel Seteria Grass. Come early as these sell out quickly!
A project that has been in the works for a couple of months now is the new space for the on farm CSA pick up. Here in the picture you can see our Mortis and Tenon style lean-to. The wood used for the outside and inside of the space has been cut from using old oak trees from the farm. (no live trees have been harmed for this project.) The roof will have a slight slope and will be a grass roof, this may be the first grass roof in Lake County! The project also consists of reconstructing part of the garage to house a fridge for our produce and eggs, a freezer for chickens, shelves for our honey and room for our future products. I can't say when this project will be finished but when it is I'll be proud to let you know, everyone will be welcomed for a visit!
From the farm's bounty this week:
Romain Hearts
Fennel Bulbs
Fresh Dug Wala Wala Onions
Zucchini/Yellow Summer Squash
Cucumbers
Red Beets with Greens
Green or Purple Kohlrabi
Green Cabbage
Fruit Share this week:
Blueberries
Red Raspberries
Harbinger Peaches
Harbinger Peaches are one of the first variety of peaches to ripen in the midwest. You'll find that the pits are split, this is normal for this type of peach. It's full of flavor and ready to eat!
Cucumbers! The first of the season have bloomed! The skin on these beauties may be a little tough. I've peeled some of the skin off, thinly sliced them and set them in a medium bowl. Add a good amount (enough to cover) of Seasoned Rice Vinegar (also known as sushi vinegar) and a splash of cold water. For a great refreshing side dish I also add a few ice cubes and stir it all around. Add salt and pepper to taste and even some thinly sliced wala wala onions.
Wala Wala Onions are freshly dug and have not been cured. If you don't plan on using these right away please store them in your fridge in a plastic bag. These are a perfect onion, mildly sweet, that are great grilled along with some zucchini and yellow summer squash. Place these on some really good chiabbata bread with goat cheese, a side dish of cucumber salad and enjoy the day!
Fennel Bulbs, a wonderful flavor and aroma of licorice with the same crisp as a celery. This unique bulb is great raw added to your slaw or roasted with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Remove the stalks and cut off the bottom part of the bulb. Thinly slice and enjoy!
Don't forget to visit our website, www.tempelfarmsorganics.com and look up recipes using our recipe finder.
A few of the recipes on our recipe finder:
Roasted Cabbage Wedges
Beet, Cucumber and Celery Relish ( you can substitute the celery with fennel)
Cabbage Braised with Riesling and Caraway
Fennel and Radish Salad
Upcoming dates to remember:
*Whole and Whole Cut-Up Organic, pasture raised Broiler Chicken will be available starting July 14!! Read more about our broilers on the poultry page of website.
**Second Annual Farm Tour will be held August 7th at 1pm. Rain alternative will be on August 14 at 1pm. Mark your calendars and let me know if you'll be able to make it, send an email!
Enjoy this weeks bounty!
Your farmers,
Tania and Chris Cubberly
